Florida Senator Jeff Brandes predicts massive rewrite of Obamacare

State Senator Jeff Brandes speaks with 10 News on March 12 on why he doesn't want to expand Medicaid at this time.

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St. Petersburg, Florida -- State Senator Jeff Brandes, of St. Petersburg, says one reason he doesn't want to expand Medicaid right now is he believes they will rewrite the President's Affordable Care Act within the next year.

"There's nothing that says we can't come back next year, or the following year, with a comprehensive solution. But as I caution my senators it's very dangerous to be the first through the mine field."

Brandes also said he thinks taking federal money at this time would be reckless.

"Growing the government at the same time that we're cutting the government just seems a little bit out of synch how I think the government should be run."

Officials have estimated the state could get up to $55 billion in federal funds over the next 10 years to help the nearly 1.3 million Floridians who are uninsured.

Governor Rick Scott last month said he would support expanding Medicaid in Florida. After being rejected by a Senate Committee this week, Scott issued a statement saying, "I am confident that the Legislature will do the right thing and find a way to protect taxpayers and the uninsured in our state while the new healthcare law provides 100 percent federal funding."